FR2704210A1 - Device for fixing a lid on a container which can be used at a distance by means of a manipulator arm - Google Patents

Abstract

This device makes it possible to lock a lid (1) into a cylindrical orifice, the lid (1) and the orifice each being divided into three diametrically opposed pairs of circular sectors ((A'11, A'12), (B'11, B'12), (C'11, C'12); (A11, A12), (B11, B12), (C11, C 12)), one (A'11, A'12) of the pairs of the orifice having a cylindrical upper edge (11) which is raised up with respect to that of the other pairs ((B'11, B'12), (C'11, C'12)), and an internal face in which is formed a groove (10), the lid (1) comprising one pair of sectors (B11, B12) having a circular edge (4), one pair (C11, C12) having a cylindrical shape ending in a radial flange (6) and one pair (A11, A12) having a cylindrical shape (2) whose outside face comprises an elastically retractable tongue capable of engaging in the groove (10) to ensure locking.

Description

DEVICE FOR FIXING A COWERCLE ON A CONTAINER
REMOTE USED WITH A MANIPULATOR ARM.

The present invention relates to a device for fixing a cover to a container.

It applies in particular, but not exclusively, to the closure of trash cans used inside watertight enclosures in which dangerous materials, such as, for example, highly toxic or radioactive chemicals are handled remotely, using arms fitted with pliers.

At present, in this type of application, it is known to use rigid cardboard bins comprising a cover which is fixed by a bayonet system or by irreversible snap-fastening.

The latter solution, more frequently used, prohibits the removal of the cover without deterioration.

Furthermore, the bayonet closure system requires the lid to be pivoted relative to the container, both to open and close the bin, and therefore, to hold the container to prevent it from pivoting with the lid.

Such a bin therefore appears impractical to use remotely using a manipulator arm.

The invention particularly aims to eliminate these drawbacks. To this end, it proposes a device for fixing a cover to a cylindrical orifice of a container, the cover having a cylindrical shape whose outside diameter is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the orifice so as to be able to s 'follow suit.

This device is characterized in that the orifice is divided into at least three pairs of diametrically opposite circular sectors, namely - two first pairs of adjacent sectors, the
upper edge extends to the same height, - a third pair of sectors including the upper edge
is higher than that of the first two
pairs of sectors, and the inner face of the
cylindrical shape has a cavity.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the cover is divided into at least three pairs of diametrically opposite circular sectors, capable of cooperating with the three pairs of sectors of the orifice, respectively - a first pair of sectors comprising an edge
circular, and intended to ensure centering of the
cover in the orifice, - a second pair of sectors including the circular edge
is extended by a cylindrical shape ending in
a radial flange, which serves to secure the blocking
axial of the cover in the opening, and - a third pair of sectors, the edge of which is
extended by a cylindrical shape which presents a
outer face on which a tongue is formed
elastically erasable, able to engage in the
cavity so as to ensure locking of the
cover in the hole.

Thanks to such an arrangement, as the third pair of sectors of the container is slightly raised, the position of the cavity is easily identifiable, even from a distance. It is then easy to position the sectors of the third couple of the cover opposite the third couple of sectors of the container, so as to allow the engagement of the tongues in the cavities. Once correctly oriented and centered, the cover can be locked in the container orifice by a simple axial translation movement causing it to be inserted into the orifice until the radial flange of the second pair of sectors of the cover comes into abutment on the edge of the sectors of the second couple of the container.

During this movement, the tongue disappears in contact with the raised edge, then engages in the cavity by producing the locking of the cover in the orifice of the container.

The container can then be lifted and moved using a handle integral with the cover, without risking opening or falling.

Thanks to the fact that the closure of the container is obtained by a simple movement of axial translation, the device according to the invention makes it possible to overcome the need to keep the container in rotation when the lid is locked, unlike a bayonet closure device. .

Advantageously, the opening of the container can be obtained by pivoting the cover relative to the container, until the radial flange abuts on the raised edge of the sectors of the third couple of the container, causing the tongues to be erased and therefore unlocking.

Once unlocked, the cover can be removed by a simple axial translation.

Of course, the opening of the container requires that the latter be kept in rotation to prevent it from pivoting, and possibly in axial translation to prevent it from being lifted at the same time as the lid when the force required to open it is greater. its weight and that of the waste it contains.

However, this constraint is not very troublesome because, in the context of remote handling of hazardous materials, the opening of the container is exceptional, even not recommended. Normally the latter is closed only once, when it is full, or else, at the end of handling.

Advantageously, the container orifice and the lid each comprise twice the three pairs of sectors previously defined, each of the sectors occupying an angle of 30 degrees.

Thanks to this arrangement, the lid can be unlocked simply, by rotating it 30 degrees relative to the container.

Advantageously, the cavity consists of a coaxial circular groove, having a radial face and an oblique face oriented towards the bottom of the container, and which can extend over the entire sector.

In addition, the cavity has a depth which gradually decreases as the limits of the sector approach, until it disappears. This arrangement leads to a gradual erasure of the tongue during the unlocking pivoting of the cover, and therefore makes it possible to reduce the effort necessary to proceed with unlocking.

An embodiment of the device according to the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent
the cover in axial and transverse views
Figures 3 and 4 schematically represent
the container orifice in axial views and
transversal
Figures 5, 6 and 7 show in sections
the different sectors of the cover
locked on container
Figure 8 shows in top view the
lid locked on container
Figure 9 shows in section two profiles of the
lid and edge of the tale opening
neur according to another mode of execution; and
Figure 10 shows in section the bottom of the
container.

The cover 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the form of a circular cover, the edges of which are divided into twelve circular sectors of 30 degrees, of three types A, B, C, successively distributed in two times three pairs of sectors, diametrically opposite, (A11, A12), (B11, B12), (C11, C12) and (A21rA22) (B21, B22), (C21tc22)
AllrA12rA21rA22 type A sectors each include a cylindrical edge 2, the outer face of which comprises, radially projecting, an elastically erasable tongue 3 having two substantially conical faces.

Furthermore, the sectors B11tB12tB21tB22 of type B have a circular edge 4, while the sectors C11xC12tC21, C22 of type C have a cylindrical edge 5 extended by a radial flange 6. The height of the cylindrical edge 5 corresponds substantially to that of the edge cylindrical 2 of type A sectors.

The cover 1 also includes a handle 7 located in the center of the cover.

It is intended to close the cylindrical opening 9 of a container 8 whose edge is divided into twelve circular sectors of 30 degrees, of three types A ', B', C ', and corresponding respectively to the twelve sectors of the cover 1.

All the sectors (of type A ', B' and C ') of the container 8 have a cylindrical shape, the sectors A'llr A'12, A'21, A'22 of type A' having an elevation there with respect to the sectors B'11tB'12B'21tB 22 of type B and C'11, C'12, C'21, C'22 of type C '. The sectors A'11, A'12, A'21, A'22 comprise, on the inner face of the cylindrical edge, a coaxial circular groove 10 whose axial profile has an oblique face and a face which extends in a plane To have a straight section. To facilitate unlocking, this groove 10 can have a depth which decreases until it disappears, approaching the adjacent sector of type B '.

When the cover 1 is in the locked position on the container 8, the tongues 3 emerging from the cylindrical edges 2 come into engagement with the grooves 10 formed in the interior face of the container 8 (FIG. 5). In this position, the container 8 can therefore be lifted by the handle 7 without risking to open.

Still in this position, the circular edges 4 of the type B sectors are applied to the inner face of the cylindrical edges of the type B 'sectors (FIG. 6), and the radial flanges 6 of the type C sectors provide an axial stop for the cover 1 coming to bear on the edges of the sectors of type C '(FIG. 7).

Furthermore, the flanges 6 abut against the elevation 11 (Figure 8).

To reach the locking position of the cover 1, it suffices beforehand to orient the latter relative to the container 8, so that the tongue 3 coincides with the elevation 11.

This operation does not present any difficulties, even in the case of remote manipulation, thanks to the elevation 11 and to the tongues 3 which make it possible to easily identify the sectors of type A 'and of type A.

It then suffices to introduce the cover 1, correctly oriented in the container 8, by a simple axial translation movement, until the flanges 6 come into abutment on the edges of the container 8.

During this movement guided by the edges 4 of the cover 1 and the edges of the container 8, the tongues 3 are erased in contact with the elevation 11, then are expanded to be introduced into their respective grooves 10 by exerting a pressure, thus locking the cover 1.

To unlock the cover 1, it suffices to rotate it 30 degrees relative to the container 8, anticlockwise, so as to bring the sectors of type A opposite the sectors of type B '.

Thanks to the shape of the grooves 10, the depth of which decreases towards the adjacent type B 'sector, this pivoting causes the gradual erasure of the tongues 3. It is therefore carried out with a limited effort.

By a simple pull exerted axially on the handle 7, the cover 1 is then easily released from the container 8.

Of course, the opening of the container 8 requires that it be kept rotating.

The opening of the container 8 can therefore be carried out in a simple, rapid manner and without exaggerated effort, which is entirely compatible with remote handling.

FIG. 9 shows, according to another embodiment, the cover 1, in radial section at the level of types A and C sectors, partially engaged in the container 8.

The cylindrical edges 2 and 11 are more raised relative to the edges 5 than in the previous embodiment. In this way, the cover 1 can be, first of all, introduced into the container 8 up to the base of the tongues 3, the flanges 6 arriving below the level of the elevations 11.

From this position, the cover 1 can therefore pivot effortlessly clockwise relative to the container 8, the tongues 3 not yet being inserted into the latter, until the flanges 6 come into abutment with the elevations 11. In this new position, the cover 1 is correctly centered and oriented relative to the container 8, the sectors of type A and A ′ being located opposite one another.

As previously described, it then suffices to press the cover 1 to lock it to the container 8.

Advantageously, the container 8 comprises gripping means allowing it to be maintained using a clamp located at the end of a manipulator arm. These means consist of two oblong and parallel cavities 12, 13, formed in the outer face of the bottom of the container 8, and spaced from one another so as to form between them a radial rib 14 capable of being gripped by the pliers.

This arrangement keeps the container 8 when you want to rotate the cover 1 to unlock it.

A cylindrical or slightly conical container and its lid, having the closure device described above, can be manufactured simply, each in a single piece obtained by molding of plastic material.

Indeed, because the type A sectors do not have a radial flange, the tongues 3 can be removed from the mold. It is the same for the handle 7, thanks to the fact that the edge 4 of the type B sectors is circular.

Thanks to these provisions, such a container proves to be particularly suitable for use, as a non-reusable trash can, in sealed enclosures for the remote handling of hazardous materials. Indeed, in this context, the relative difficulty of opening such a container is not very troublesome, or even advantageous, because it is generally not recommended to open a bin filled with contaminated waste.

Claims (10)

 1. Device for fixing a cover (1) to a cylindrical orifice (9) of a container (8), the cover (1) having a cylindrical shape whose outside diameter is substantially equal to the inside diameter of l orifice (9) so as to be able to fit therein, characterized in that a) the orifice (9) is divided into at least three pairs of circular sectors ((A At12) (B'11, B'12) (It’s 11, C'12)) diametrically opposite, namely: - first two pairs of sectors ((B'1l, B'l2) (C'1lt  C'12)) adjacent whose upper edge extends to a  same height, - a third pair of sectors (A'1l, Ag12) whose  upper edge (11) is raised relative to that  of the first two pairs of sectors ((B'1l, B'l2)  (C'1l, C'12)), and which each include a cavity (10)  formed in their inner face, and b) the cover (1) is divided into at least three pairs of circular sectors ((A11, A12), (BllrB12) r (C11, C12)) diametrically opposed, capable of cooperating with the three pairs of sectors ((A'11, A'12), (B'llr B'12), (C'llrC'12)) of the orifice (9), namely: - a first couple of sectors (B11, B12) comprising a  circular edge (4), - a second pair of sectors (C11, C12) whose edge  circular is extended by a cylindrical shape (5)  ending with a radial flange (6), which serves to  ensure the axial locking of the cover (1) in the ori  fice (9), and - a third pair of sectors (A11, A12), the edge of which  is extended by a cylindrical shape (2) which has  an outer face on which a lan is formed  elastically erasable lookout (3), capable of engaging  in the cavity (10) so as to ensure a lock  lage of the cover (1) in the hole (9).  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the orifice (9) of the container (8) and the cover (1) each comprise twice the three pairs of circular sectors, and in that each of the sectors occupies an arc 30 degrees.  3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper face of the cover (1) comprises a handle (7).  4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (10) formed in a sector (A'111A'12), has a radial face and an oblique face oriented towards the bottom of the container (8) and extends over the entire sector (A'11, A'12).  5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the cavity (10) has a depth which decreases until it is canceled in the vicinity of an adjacent sector.  6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the different sectors of the cover (1) and of the container (8) are distributed successively so that the cover (1) is unlocked by a pivoting of 30 degrees to the cover (1) counterclockwise.  7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radial flange (6) is capable of abutting against a side face of a raised edge (11), the cover (1) being introduced into the container (8) to the base of the tongue (3).  8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (8) comprises a bottom in which are gripping means (14).  9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping means (14) consist of two cavities (12,13) oblong and paral vale, formed on the outer face of the bottom of the container (8), spaced one from the other so as to form between them a radial rib (14).  10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (8) which has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the cover (1) are each made in one piece obtained by molding of plastic material.